Prevention of atopic disease in "at-risk newborns" by prolonged breast-feeding.

Author(s):Businco L, Marchetti F, Pellegrini G, Cantani A, Perlini R

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Abstract The protective effect of breast feeding against atopic disease (AD) has been confirmed in several prospective studies, while some retrospective studies have yielded controversial results. We have evaluated the prophylactic effect of prolonged breast feeding on the development of AD in 101 newborns at hereditary risk for allergic disease. The study design also included a strict dietary avoidance regimen of the nursing mothers. Our data demonstrate that breast feeding or breast feeding supplemented with soy milk exert a prophylactic effect on the development of AD in these at-risk infants. Mechanisms by which breast feeding protects from atopy are discussed.